Mark Clark Ingram, age 77, husband of Barbara Becay Ingram, and a resident of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2024.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Heritage Funeral Home with Onnie Kirk officiating. A private burial will follow in Lynnwood Cemetery.
Born on September 11, 1946, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Mark was the son of the late Mack Leon Ingram and the late Billie Ruth Clark Ingram. He earned his Doctorate Degree from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Last October he celebrated 50 years of practicing veterinary medicine. Mark was the owner of Franklin Road Animal Hospital in Brentwood, Tennessee which began as a mixed practice of horses, cows, dogs and cats. The epitome of someone who thought outside the box, Mark’s practice became holistic where he found the further out on that branch he stood the higher his success rate became. Although he loved all animals, he had a special love for horses. Mark bred, raised, and trained Quarter horses and Paints, and had a mare with lineage going back to his adolescent years. He also raised Rottweilers and cows for a season. Mark was an avid University of Alabama fan where he received his undergraduate degree. Roll tide!
Mark raised his children in the great outdoors. Most vacations were spent camping. The Ingram family often thought about offering their camping services to drought areas. If they pitched a tent it would rain! He also enjoyed taking the kids skiing, whitewater canoeing, kayaking and sailing. He liked to work with his hands and took pleasure in woodworking. Mark had a passion for Halbert Acres, his family farm in Fayetteville, TN since 1818. It was there that he would feel God’s peace riding on a tractor bailing hay. An avid reader, Mark read through the encyclopedia as a youth. But his greatest joy was reading the Word of God. He had a passion for religious studies and American history and was always reading medical and scientific journals and herbal medicinal books. If Mark had not become a veterinarian there were two other choices. One interest was archeology. A highlight for his life was participating in a dig for the Ark of the Covenant in Israel. And if he was born in another era Mark said he would’ve definitely been a cowboy, a real gunslinger.
Mark also had another calling. He considered his veterinary clinic to be a ministry and loved to share the gospel. Often staff would get anxious as appointments would run long and late. Then they would look in and see he had his Bible open or was praying with someone. Mark had once received a miraculous healing from the Lord and he loved to show clients the steel and leather back brace he used to wear which was hanging on the wall.
Following after his mother Ruth, who was a Daughter of the American Revolution, Mark became a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
In addition to his wife Barbara Becay Ingram, of 36 years, he is survived by his children, Kelley Ingram (Mark) Roberts, Charlotte Ingram, Tommy (Jaime) Ingram, Micah Ingram, grandchildren, Taylor (Sophie) Roberts, Raynah Roberts, Zoe (Luke) Roberts, Jayden Roberts, Weston White Ingram, Riley Ingram, and great granddaughter, Nara.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Ingram.
Pallbearers will be Tommy Ingram, Micah Ingram, Charles Ingrum, Tom Barnes, Al Merrit and Gerry Mandel.
Mark’s Heavenly Father met him with what we all long to hear:
“Well done, good and faithful servant;… Enter into the joy of your lord.” Matthew 25.21
In lieu of flowers the Ingram family has asked that donations be given to the following ministries:
Jamaica Voice International was established in 1984 by Stoney and Evelyn Fairweather. Mark was a friend and supporter of the ministry. Their mission is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Jamaica. Stoney was the best man at Mark and Barbara’s wedding as he was instrumental in getting them together. They both worked with the ministry after they met. In honor of Stoney’s vision and labor the ministry now has a new name. Gifts may be mailed to Lord’s and Fairweather International P.O. Box 918, Pleasant View, TN 37146.
Our friend’s daughter has inspired our family by serving overseas most of her life. After two years as an aid worker in Afghanistan, she and seven others were arrested by the Taliban and held captive for 105 days in 2001. A year later she married. They have spent twenty years doing ministry together in N. Africa where they raised their children. You may send donations in Dr. Ingram’s memory to AMI, 505 N. 20th Street, Waco, TX 76707. Please put Murock, M & D on the check memo line.
